We Have Spirit, Yes We Do, We Have Spirit, How About You!?
Submitted by mjorgensen on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 21:58.
People say that Fresno is dead. I can't lie, I do to. But, lucky for us, it's a city frozen in time, and in these types of cases, heatin up the body can bring it back to life. Historians on here will argue about when Fresno "froze", so I'll just throw out there a time, for argument sake, and say after the courthouse was knocked down. When that happened, we lost a bit of our identity, and we haven't reclaimed it. Listening to the folks on this site the last couple of days, I think that answer to our problem is staring us right in our faces. We have SPIRIT, YES WE DO, WE HAVE SPIRIT, HOW ABOUT YOU.
That's right people, smile if it hurts. Say "hello" to that stranger in the grocery store, and if they look at you like your crazy, then just feel sorry for them that they don't have spirit. Haven't met your neighbors yet? Drop by this Saturday and introduce yourself. Get dressed to check the mail and walk to the mailbox if you usually drive. Go at a busy part of the day so that you will see others from your neighborhood and you can chat. Have the kids place out in the front yard, unless you live on Shaw, that might be nasty. You'll be surprised. It may take a few weeks or months, but pretty soon, you'll intice other families to do the same. This might sound silly, but it's a start. We all know that Fresno is not the friendliest city to live in. Let's take a pledge to try and make Fresno a more Spirited place to live one smile at a time.
chirp, chirp, chirp
shhhhh... we don't want to wake the sleepy residents of Fresno that
DON'T HAVE ANY FRESNO SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Come on people. Perk up. It's a beautiful day outside, get out there and mingle.
A lot of people are okay with you ringing their doorbell. You would be shocked. A friend invited me to "politicize" myself around her neighborhood. It was the two of us and three children. All second-third grade girls. There was ALOT of talking that day.
Anyway... So, my somewhat shy friend walked her neighborhood with me. By the end of two hours, she had made at least three friends. I know from experience, if I knock on someone's door in a neighborhood that I don't live in, they are not as friendly as when I have brought a member of their community with me.
My point, and yes I have one, if you think that everyone in Fresno is grumpy, you are wrong. I know, it seems like that, and a lot of people are, but I've learned that just like us on Fresno Famous, people are thirsty for some friendly, shoot the breeze conversation with neighbors.
I used to
mjorgensen, I used to think that Fresno was dead too. But a year or so ago I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended a Creative Fresno meeting. That was probably the best thing I could have done. These people are totally awesome and know how to have a good time. I have met so many new friends just by doing this one thing. You should definitely check out one of their Blenders.
Another awesome way to know what is going on in Fresno is The Beehive. Mike Oz and Donald Munro totally keep up with whats going on.
Last but not least keep reading FresnoFamous. People always post stuff to do.
In one year my perception of Fresno has completely changed.
So back to your post, I think what your saying is for folks to step out of their comfort zone and engage other people. I totally agree and at the risk of sounding cliche'-ish , it changed my life.
I try to
I have noticed that people around here aren't always the friendliest. It seems to me that everyone here is in a hurry. In a hurry to what, I'll never know. People forget to stop and smell the roses.
I always try to smile or nod to people as I pass them. It is just being friendly. I am guilty of not knowing my neighbors. I only know 1 by her name, the others if they are in their cars I might recognize them. I don't think I would feel comfortable ringing a strangers doorbell. Neighbor or not. Heck we even have a sign on the door that sorta says, leave us alone. I have tried to say it nicer, but door to door sales people don't get it. ;-)
Post new comment